THE Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) has noted with concern the 2020 First Quarter Report of the Child Care and Protection Agency, which posits a significant number of child abuse reports.

The RCC believes that the unfortunate event of the COVID-19 pandemic compounds and exacerbates the situation and, while stakeholders have joined efforts on combatting his, has called for a more concerted and collaborative approach.

“The RCC believes that the considerable threat to life imposed by COVID-19 must be met with the continued resolve of all stakeholders to keep our children safe. Such safety must involve protection from a deadly virus as well as from any form of mistreatment and abuse while they are at home,” the commission stated.

It lamented the two incidents involving the death of pregnant teenager, Rehana Rahaman, from Karawab village in the upper Pomeroon, and the alleged murder of Melissa Somah, another pregnant teenager from New Amsterdam in the Berbice River.

The RCC stated: “The circumstances leading to the deaths of Ms. Rahaman and Ms. Somah make us focus on the stark reality of children being mothers and their unfortunate deaths, and the continuous breakdown of appreciation for the best interests of a child, and his/her rights including the right to life and protection. The best interest of the child must be observed by all stakeholders at the level of the family, community and nationally. We must, at all times, seek to consider and act in a manner that accords with observing the rights of children.”

It looks forward to justice on the matters. With the reopening of schools for the now-completed National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, the RCC also urges that the Ministry of Education (MOE) ensure that no child is left behind due to missed classes or total absence of schooling.

Further, the commission referenced the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) report entitled “Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020,” which noted that violence still affects the lives of up to one billion children, with long-lasting and costly emotional, social and economic consequences. It therefore urged local stakeholders: “Together, with these international agencies, we must all reaffirm a commitment to preserving the protection of the rights of Guyana’s children. These can be achieved by continuing to observe laws which protect children; establishing values and norms to promote child rights, creating safe environments for children, enabling parent and care giver support, providing social protection services, fostering economic stability, and promoting education and life skills capacity. All of these actions are relevant to a societal approach to protecting children.”